Spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks from the Masai Mara region of Kenya.

Abstract

We have identified for the first time Rickettsia africae, and the ticks that harbored them, in Kenya. A total of 5,325 ticks were collected from vegetation, livestock, and wild animals during two field trips to southwestern Kenya. Most were immature forms (85.2%) belonging to the genera Amblyomma or Rhipicephalus. The adults also included representatives from the genus Boophilus. Ticks were assessed for rickettsial DNA by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers for the spotted fever group (SFG)-specific rickettsial outer membrane protein A (rompA) gene, and positive amplicons were sequenced. While none of the immature ticks tested positive by PCR, 15.8% of the adult Amblyomma variegatum and less than 1% of the Rhipicephalus spp. were SFG positive. Sequences of amplified products were identified as R. africae. These findings extend the known range of R. africae.

• Authors: Kevin R Macaluso, Jon Davis, Uzma Alam, Amy Korman, Jeremiah S Rutherford, Ronald Rosenberg, Abdu F Azad
• Journal: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene (Am J Trop Med Hyg) Vol. 68 Issue 5 Pg. 551-3 (May 2003) ISSN: 0002-9637 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12812343 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
• DNA, Bacterial
• rOmpA, Rickettsia

Topics

• Animals
• Arachnid Vectors (microbiology)
• Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins (genetics)
• Cattle
• DNA, Bacterial (analysis)
• Disease Reservoirs
• Female
• Ixodidae (microbiology)
• Kenya
• Male
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Rickettsia (classification, genetics, isolation & purification)